Winterizing Compressed Air Systems

Your compressed air system should be located inside a well-ventilated compressor room. Unfortunately, it is not always possible; some companies are forced to install the system outside. Winterizing an outdoor compressed air system is essential to ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently throughout the winter. You can prevent costly repairs, damage, and unscheduled downtime by adequately preparing your system for the cold weather.

The first step in winterizing your compressed air system is to drain the water from the air tanks, filters, separators, and air dryers. Compressed air systems produce condensate as a byproduct of compression, which can freeze and cause damage to the system if not properly drained. Next, locate the drain valves at the bottom of the tanks to drain the water from them and open them to release the condensate. Repeat this process until no water is present. We recommend using the proper no-loss condensate drain designed for the size of your system.??

Insulate exposed pipes or hoses to prevent freezing. Insulating these parts help maintain a consistent temperature within the system, improving efficiency and preventing damage. Freezing temperatures can cause hoses, drain lines, and hoses to crack and break. Inspect all lines for damage and use heat temp or heat lamps to keep them from freezing.??

Another essential step in winterizing your compressed air system is appropriately lubricating all moving parts. Cold temperatures can cause the lubricant to thicken, making it harder for the moving parts to function correctly. Instead, use a high-quality, cold-weather lubricant to ensure the system continues to run smoothly throughout the winter.

Finally, it's important to schedule regular maintenance for your compressed air system throughout the winter. Preventative maintenance This will ensure that any potential issues are caught early and addressed before they have a chance to cause severe damage or downtime. During these maintenance check-ups, the technician will check for leaks, dirty filters, and other issues that can cause problems during winter.

By taking the time to winterize your compressed air system correctly, you can ensure that it continues to run smoothly and efficiently throughout the winter months, and prevent costly repairs, damage, and unscheduled downtime. However, it's also important to remember that even with the best care, unexpected issues can still occur. Therefore, it's always a good idea to have a plan for dealing with unexpected problems and a qualified technician on call in an emergency.

Please let me know if you have any further questions or any compressed air projects coming up in the next few months that we can help you with - service or new equipment. We service all brands of rotary screw air compressors.??